I'm saving money during the lockdown for travel once that's an option again

[captain queeg]

I had retired just before the pandemic hit. I was looking forward to doing some international travel but that’s been out. Also, our previous twice impeached clown-in-chief had probably made us pretty unpopular in the world and that seems to be getting better.

Any good ideas? Is there some kind of travel club for DUers? If not maybe we ought to start one. It would be good to travel with like minded people. I’d like to do a European river cruise and can think of a few tropical spots I’d like to visit. Also just read about Malta which sounded good.

[Phoenix61]

1. I had a month long trip scheduled.

A week in Singapore and 3 weeks in Bali. I’m really hoping to get there this summer. Rainy season is Oct- Apr so I think I should be able to make it happen. I’ve got a plane ticket that’s good until Nov.

Singapore is amazing and once you get there it’s easy to get Thailand, etc..

[getagrip_already]

2. I think we all long to get out and travel again.....

My wife and I have pretty far and wide. We honeymooned on peru, bolivia, and equador in the mid 80's. We have been to a lot of very interesting places, both together and alone, but we have never been drawn to a tour or large group experience.

It is usually just us or family or a couple of close friends.

So I can't help with collectivo style groups. But, I feel your pain.....

[leftieNanner]

3. I'm in!

The river cruises look wonderful! We took a Baltic Ocean cruise with Viking and it was excellent. We have been wanting to do a European river cruise with them. Or maybe Egypt.

My daughter visited Malta a few years ago (her BF has extended family there). She said it's lovely, but very hot in the summer.

I would actually just like to go visit my daughters. Or even leave the county at this point.

It's nice to think we may be able to travel again, and not be international pariahs when we go.

A DU travel group would be great fun!

[dhol82]

7. Loved Malta!

The crusader village in the interior was fascinating.

[Dream Girl]

4. I'm thinking about Turkey.

I’ve never been but head grat things.

[dhol82]

6. Turkey was fascinating. I've been there twice and would go again because I still haven't

gotten to Cappadocia.

[Dream Girl]

8. Where did you go?

[dhol82]

9. Istanbul twice - LOVED IT!

Ephesus (Kusadasi), Antalya, Alanya.
Along with multiple side trips around those cities.
Both were cruise centric.
Also got to see Rhodes. Great island but too many tourists in season. It’s small and when a 3,500 passenger ship docks (along with other smaller vessels) it gets crazy. Decided I would love to go back but, in the off season, and staying on the island for a week.

[Dream Girl]

12. Sounds fantastic. We're you there long?

[dhol82]

16. Istanbul 2-3 days each time

Fabulous walking city. Fabulous food. Loved the mosques. Loved the food.
You must go to the Topkapi palace. It’s a whole complex of buildings, each one more fabulous than the next. The treasury exhibits are amazing.
First time in Istanbul stayed in the Galatea district. It was very nice but I wanted more of the old city flavor. Second time I got my wish and stayed near the Blue Mosque. It was so cool wandering the streets when they are empty of the tourists.
The other places were one day ship excursions. Always had a private guide. Hated the ship offerings. With a private I was able to have a max of 6-8 people and often only four. Made it so much nicer.

[dhol82]

5. I have a trip to Kenya and Ethiopia now scheduled for next February.

It was supposed to be this February but that obviously fell through.
Also scheduled one for Egypt (sailing down the Nile) and, hopefully, Lebanon in November 2022.

I am signed up with Overseas Adventure Travel. They have a plan for reimbursement if there is a travel problem. When this month fell through I was able to reschedule with no problem whatsoever. You just have to pay for your travel insurance and a small deposit in advance.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

13. I just took a look at the Overseas Adventure Travel website.

They look quite interesting. I may book something with them down the road.

[dhol82]

17. They give really good value for the money.

I have done two trips with them. One to morocco which was nice and very comprehensive. I came in early so I was able to get a better flavor of Casablanca.
The other one was to northern Italy. That was really interesting because it was an area most people don’t visit. Essentially, the Austrian part of Italy. The first language for 70% of the population is German. Really gave a different perspective on the people and the history.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

20. On the other hand, I also found this.

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/travel/overseas_adventure.html

Almost every review posted totally slams that company. Most of those are in the last year and are mainly about not getting refunds on trips cancelled because of Covid. But that is rather bothersome.

[dhol82]

21. That is bothersome.

I can understand the shitshow that happened with Covid. Not sure what to think about the complaints.
I am booked for two trips next year. We’ll see what happens.
Everything is in flux. No full money is going down until the situation is more stable.

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Are you a single traveler?

[captain queeg]

15. Yes, thats why I might consider some group thing

Never have done anything like that and I'm getting older. Seems like it would be a good thing to do the first time I visit a place If I like it I'd be more willing to go back by myself.

[dhol82]

19. Yup, that's my attitude now.

I traveled all over Europe with my husband back in the day. I would do all the research, make all the bookings and look after all the niggly bits. Now, let somebody else do it. At least for two to four weeks.
However, there are many places I would love to go back to but, as an Air B&B for an extended stay.
Also, there are places in the world that are just too difficult for me to navigate on my own. I went to Pakistan a couple of years ago. Started out in Xinjiang (Kashgar). Fabulous place. However, the ethnic tensions were palpable. All the military had machine guns and there were passport stations everywhere. Even after going over the Khunjerab pass the Pakistanis had guys with machine guns checking everybody every twenty miles or so. It was a great trip but not one I could have done on my own.
As an FYI, that was a trip with GeoEx and just an expensive extravaganza.

[sinkingfeeling]

22. Okay. I'm a single woman traveler and might be interested

in having a travel partner.

[captain queeg]

23. Let's stay in touch. I do want to do some traveling. I have a couple people who might be interested

For people I know there are lots of issues with timing etc. I’m finally in a position to go most anytime once the Covid settles down.

Most of those tour packages are price per person based on double occupancy. It’ll be more expensive for single travelers. I pointed that out to my sister awhile ago when we were talking. But if I went on some package deal then maybe I’d be willing to go back on my own and have more control of my expenses. I used to travel a lot but it’s been quie awhile.

I’m a guy so that probably makes me less likely to be screwed with but I’ve had the impression you’d be lot more likely to get mugged in the US. I think robbery takes a different form in a lot of overseas locations. Assuming you are staying in the main path. If you go out into the hinterland in some places it could get bad and it would be good to be with a group then

[dhol82]

18. Yes. That's why I'm really happy to have found this group.

As a single it becomes very expensive to travel with most tour companies. I am a widow and have learned from unfortunate experiences that I am not cut out to travel with friends.

[birdographer]

24. That sounds like me...

Every time I travel with a friend, we stop being friends. Various different problems. I like my own company and am much happier traveling alone. However, I went to Wales alone about 5 years ago to meet an email friend and, the friend part aside, it was a terrible trip. Bad idea to go alone. I would like to get to the Yorkshire area of England and have a dilemma. Don't want to go alone, don't want another disaster traveling with anyone. Can I just clone myself??

[dhol82]

25. Well, they don't do England but Scotland is close.

https://www.oattravel.com/destinations/country/scotland?icid=global:countries:europe:scotland

I usually find at least one person I can enjoy being with on these trips.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. I took a fabulous cruise to Hawaii last March.

The 1st through the 18th, departing from and returning to San Diego. It was wonderful. We felt VERY safe on board. Holland America, and as the cruise progressed they amped up the cleaning of an already extremely clean ship.

In April I was to have taken a wonderful train trip from New Mexico to Seattle via Chicago, and then have a week or so in Seattle. It didn't happen. I hope to do that trip in 2022, if things go well.

I want to take more cruises. I want to resume going to my science-fiction cons. It will be a while, but eventually we will be able to travel again.

[Major Nikon]

14. I recommend this travel company

They don’t just do river cruises and I’ve never taken one with them, but have included a link for reference. We used them for our trips to China and Peru. My experience with them is they are a top notch company. They take care of all the details for you and are there if something goes wrong with local employees. Local and air transportation, meals, and lodging are all arranged. Takes all the headaches out of it and since they are doing the same trips over and over they get better deals than usually you can on your own so it’s not that much more expensive than doing it all yourself.

https://www.jetvacations.com/rhine-river-cruise

[CTyankee]

26. I can highly recommend Road Scholar travel. they have intelligent people who want a bit of

education, whether it be history or food or art, and you are there with other people who share your particular interest. Mind was art and I took several wonderful tours they offered. Of course, they are doing virtual things now during the shut down but I am eager for the day when we can go to Europe again!

https://www.roadscholar.org/

[captain queeg]

27. Some good ideas here. There's finally light at the end of the tunnel

Though I think it will be at least the end of summer till things get fairly back to normal. I wonder if pent up demand for travel will lead to large price increases. Just got my first covid shot scheduled for second on April 9. Will sure be a relief, at least domestic travel ought to pick up quickly.

[marble falls]

29. Thanks!! Been, and it was very nice. I enjoyed the Malay pizza best!